Wilhelm Reich wrote The Function of The Orgasm in 1940. It is one of his most important works. Reich, a student of Freud's who worked and participated in the psychoanalytic movement for many years, insisted that Freud's libido theory is the most essential theory, and that Freud's other theories brought on later on were derived from libido theory.

In libido theory, Freud postulates that there is an innate
psychosexual energy that is born with the child and that it is the main
source of instinct which brings gradual development to the child.

Freud attributed certain characteristics that come with this
growth and development. In The Function of the Orgasm, Reich contends
that the principle of libido energy and its development from infancy to
adulthood and its satisfactory development and adequate satisfaction of
libidinal urges constitute the most important factor in human
development. Development of other characteristics are secondary to it.

Reich contends that Freud?s digression from initial libido theory
-- the theory of psychosexual energy -- and his preoccupation with
other psychoanalytic theories were the consequence of Freud?s
resignation to social pressures. In the same book, he states: ?Freud was
not a social pragmatist ?only? a strict and honest scientist. The world
could no longer gainsay [deny] the fact of unconscious psychic life.
Thus, it resorted to its old game of corruption. It sent him many
students, who came to a set table and did not have to bother about the
cooking. They had but one interest: to popularize psychoanalysis as
quickly as possible. They carried their conservative ties to this world
into his organization, and Freud?s work could not exist without
organization. One after the other, they discarded or watered down the
libido theory. Freud was well aware of the difficulties involved in
championing libido theory. But, in the interest of self-preservation and
the consolidation of the movement he could not permit himself to say
what, in a more honest world, he would certainly have stood up for all
alone.

Reich initially talks about the importance of the child?s
psychosexual development. He mentions emotional sicknesses that are
derived from distortion of psychosexual energy as he goes through
developmental stages because of social influences. He gives examples of
social ills and fears that are introduced to the child in patriarchal
families and their social
consequence. Consequences of such an
upbringing of children leads to a society composed of psychologically
unhealthy people that creates dictators as their leaders.

He then talks about the inconsistencies and flaws that existed in
contemporary psychology. He describes how normal and abnormal sexuality
have both been treated as dirty and undesirable and punishable, and
healthy sexuality was not differentiated from unhealthy sexuality. Both
were condemned by social institutions. In The Function of the Orgasm he
also explains his views on healthy sexuality and the need for its
fulfillment -- the destructive effect of its repression and
dissatisfaction.

He explains the sexual illnesses and disabilities which follow
because of a lengthy delay in sexual fulfillment and repression of
sexual desires, such as premature ejaculation, frigidity, disinterest or
sadistic or masochistic tendencies which develop in people because
healthy sexuality has not been respected.

Reich also explains the difficulty in work and the waste of
intellectual potential by people who have to spend a major portion of
their energy fighting with their sexual desires and how that drains the
energy which otherwise could have been available for further growth and
work.

Reich also discusses the relation between psychological health
and sexual health and its relation with cultural needs and cultural
growth. He believes that sexuality has been seen as a threat to cultural
growth -- a false belief -- he contends that many social ills that were
present in the 1940s, such as wars, torture, killing, violence,
antisocial behavior and many other social ills, are the consequence of
the illness in the culture which cannot be denied and man cannot be
proud of. He attributes social ills to the wrong upbringing of children
which makes them ready for an authoritarian government and leadership,
as well as makes them prone to antisocial behavior and deprives them of
their potential for work and love.

Reich states that love, knowledge and work are the wellsprings of
life. They should also govern it. Reich brings examples from the second
World War, atrocities and savage behavior, killings of people and
disrespect for human life, and attributes them to the human sickness
that springs from wrong upbringing of children and therefore makes
society prone to such atrocities. Since atrocities have not stopped
since the 1940s and the World War II, we therefore believe his points
are valid for the present.

He then talks about the biological effects of his understanding
of the human organism, the inner psychological and physical effect it
leaves on people, the treatment of such cases that he has taken based on
his theory and the treatment approach and technique that are designed
for it. He brings examples of interesting and helpful results that he
obtained in treating his patients which substantiate his theory and
understanding of the human psyche.

The translator believes that this book is valuable and needs to
be read and understood by all cultures. He also believes it will help
human growth.

Wilhelm Reich was
born in 1897. Austrian psychoanalyst and biophysicist. Once associated
with Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, Reich immigrated to the
United States and advocated his theory of an orgone energy. He believed
that this energy permeates the universe and that humans must release it
through sexual activity to avoid developing neuroses. In 1942 he founded
the Orgone Institute.He died in 1957.